Have we (or Hurney rather) painted ourselves into a corner by paying C.J. so much? Hardy has more sacks this season already than Johnson did in 2010 and will likely want similar money, which he obviously won't get with the new GM.

I would think it'd be more economical to try to extend him this offseason, before he goes and has another monster season next year, then his contract runs out and it's up to the highest bidder. Of course, that'll be tough with the way our cap is looking this coming year but if they can work it out to lock the Kraken up for another 5 or so years for less than what we'd have to pay him in 2014 it'll be worth not signing a mid-tier FA or two.

charles johnson's contract had a huge signing bonus that resulted in a really big number that media outlets could sling around (omg 6 years/$76 million and he's not julius peppers jared allen or dwight freeney wtf is going on here) but his cap hit is actually not overly cumbersome. it's actually on the mid-low end of the scale for a-list passrushers like the aforementioned. johnson's cap hit was $11 million this year and should be $13 million next year where as allen's was greater than $15 million and will go above $17 million next year. peppers' cap hit was $12.4 million this season and will reach $16.4 million next year.

I would think it'd be more economical to try to extend him this offseason, before he goes and has another monster season next year, then his contract runs out and it's up to the highest bidder. Of course, that'll be tough with the way our cap is looking this coming year but if they can work it out to lock the Kraken up for another 5 or so years for less than what we'd have to pay him in 2014 it'll be worth not signing a mid-tier FA or two.

This guy gets it. If there's anyone we need to get locked up long term before he's a FA it's Hardy....